The World Poker Tour has postponed its $1,100 WPT Prime Cyprus Championship, a tournament featuring a $1 million guarantee, citing the ongoing military conflict involving Iran.
Originally set to run March 5–9 at the Chamada Prestige Hotel & Spa, the event has been pushed back to an unspecified later date as regional instability complicates travel and logistics.
Rising Tensions Impact Travel and Safety
Cyprus sits in the Eastern Mediterranean, less than 800 miles from Iran’s border. On Feb. 28, coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted Iranian military and intelligence infrastructure, escalating tensions across the region and creating uncertainty for international travel.
With many WPT staff members based in the United States, sending personnel into a region facing heightened geopolitical risk presented significant operational and safety concerns.
In a statement posted to its X (formerly Twitter) account, the tour confirmed the postponement of the WPT Prime event, noting it will be rescheduled “at a later date.”
Festival to Continue With Adjustments
While the marquee Prime Championship is on hold, the remainder of the Cyprus festival will proceed as planned. Organizers have added a separate $1,100 buy-in tournament to the schedule to fill the gap left by the postponed headline event.
The WPT also advised players intending to travel to stay in close contact with airlines and monitor official updates, encouraging participants to make decisions based on the latest available information.
Cyprus has become a frequent stop for major poker tours, regularly hosting high-profile series from both the WPT and the Triton Poker Series.
Second Poker Event Affected
This marks the second poker festival disrupted by the conflict. The Mixed Game Festival at Resorts World Las Vegas was also canceled after its host, Robbie Strazynski, was unable to travel from Israel to the United States.
What’s Next for the WPT?
The next major stop on the tour remains on track: the $3,500 buy-in WPT Rolling Thunder Championship in Northern California, beginning March 29.
As for the postponed Cyprus Championship, a new date has yet to be announced. For now, players and organizers alike are navigating a schedule shaped not by cards, but by global events beyond the felt.
